Flat panel display for accommodating portable computer

ABSTRACT

An exemplary flat panel display includes a display panel, a supporting member, and a base portion. The supporting member includes a main body portion and a bending portion extending substantially toward a front side of the display panel. The base portion adjoins the main body portion and the display panel has a jointing portion pivotally connected to the bending portion. The jointing portion of the display panel is located within a top half region of the display panel, such that the display panel and the supporting member define an accommodating space therebetween.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flat panel display configured to be conveniently used in cooperation with a portable computer.

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Presently, numerous electronic products are manufactured to feature high speed, high performance, small size, and low weight. For example, flat panel displays are becoming more and more popular by having the advantages of thinness, low weight, low power consumption, and little or no radiation. Flat panel displays include products such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs).

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a typical flat panel display 1 includes a display panel 10, a supporting member 11, and a base 12. The supporting member 11 is provided with a pivot axle 13 at a top thereof. The pivot axle 13 is connected to the display panel 10 such that the display panel 10 can be rotated relative to the supporting member 11. Further, the supporting member 11 is movably mounted on the base 12 such that the supporting member 11 and, therefore, the display panel 10 can be turned left or right relative to the base 12.

Larger screens and higher display qualities are often needed in the home or office. In such cases, because a portable computer typically has a limited display screen size and viewing angle, the portable computer may not be able to provide satisfactory display quality and performance. A user may prefer to connect the portable computer to a flat panel display such as the flat panel display 1. Thereby, the user can attain better display quality and performance.

However, when a portable computer (not shown) and the flat panel display 1 are used together, they occupy different positions on a supporting surface such as a desktop or a tabletop. Furthermore, the portable computer may be located some distance away from the flat panel display 1. In this situation, it may be inconvenient for a user to operate a keyboard of the portable computer while simultaneously viewing a display screen of the display panel 10 of the flat panel display 1.

There is a need for a flat panel display that can cooperate with a portable computer in a way that overcomes the above-described problems.

SUMMARY

An exemplary flat panel display includes a display panel, a supporting member, and a base portion. The supporting member includes a main body portion and a bending portion extending upward and forward toward a front side of the flat panel display. The display panel includes a jointing portion pivotally connected to the bending portion of the supporting member. The base portion adjoins the main body portion of the supporting member. The jointing portion of the display panel is located within a top half region of the display panel. As a result, the display panel and the supporting member define an accommodating space therebetween.

An exemplary flat panel display and portable computer combination including a portable computer and a flat panel display is also disclosed. The flat panel display is configured to define a space for receiving a display screen of the portable computer and a base portion for supporting the keyboard of the portable computer such that the portable computer and the flat panel display can be used together by a user.

Unlike a conventional flat panel display, the present flat panel display utilizes the accommodating space between the display panel of the flat panel display and the supporting member and behind the display panel to receive a display screen of a portable computer when the portable computer and the flat panel display are used together by a user. In this way, a keyboard of the portable computer can be located directly in front of the display panel, and the user can simultaneously operate the keyboard of the portable computer and view the display panel of the flat panel display in a most convenient way.

Other novel features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, all the views are schematic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a flat panel display according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the flat panel display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the flat panel display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the flat panel display of FIG. 1, showing a rear cover removed therefrom and an inner space of a supporting member thereof.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the flat panel display of FIG. 1 together with a portable computer.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a conventional flat panel display.

FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the flat panel display of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a flat panel display according to one embodiment of the invention is a liquid crystal display 2. The liquid crystal display 2 includes a display panel 20, a supporting member 25, and a base portion 23. The supporting member 25 has a main body portion 22, and a bending portion 21 extending upward and forward toward a front side of the display panel 20 for a predetermined amount. Thereby, the display panel 20 is positioned a desired distance from the main body portion 22 in a desired location. Furthermore, the base portion 23 and the supporting member 25 are formed as a single body, with the main body portion 22 adjoining the base portion 23. The display panel 20 is provided with a jointing portion 26. The jointing portion 26 is connected to the bending portion 21 via a hinge or like mechanism. Thereby, the display panel 20 is capable of rotating through an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the supporting member 25.

Referring also to FIG. 4, the main body portion 22 is substantially perpendicular to the base portion 23 and substantially parallel to a front end of the base portion 23. A height of the main body portion 22 is at least half a height of the display panel 20. The jointing portion 26 is distant from a bottom end of the display panel 20 and located within a top half region of the display panel 20. Preferably, the jointing portion 26 is located far above half of the altitude of the display panel 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the jointing portion 26 is located in the range from about two-thirds of the altitude of the display panel 20 to about three-fourths of the altitude of the display panel 20. Thereby, the display panel 20 is spaced a predetermined distance away from the main body portion 22 and the base portion 23 when the display panel 20 is perpendicular to the base portion 23. In this way, an accommodating space 24 between the display panel 20, the supporting member 25 and the base portion 23 is defined.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the supporting member 25 further includes a detachable rear cover 221. The detachable rear cover 221 is fastened onto a back of the supporting member 25 by any of various known buckling structures or means such as deformable detents. The detachable rear cover 221 is capable of being readily detached by a user when required. Referring again to FIG. 4, a room 222 is defined inside the main body portion 22 of the supporting member 25 where the detachable rear cover 221 is attached. Four symmetrically arranged cylinder-shaped protrusions 223 are provided on an inner wall of the room 222. The protrusions 223 are used for winding power source lines and signal lines of the flat panel display 2 therearound. Thereby, the power source and signal lines can be gathered in the room 222, and space can be saved to facilitate transportation and storage of the liquid crystal display 2. In alternative embodiments, the number of protrusions 223 can be other than four, and the protrusions 223 can have any desired shape other than cylinder. In particular, the number and shape of the protrusions can be configured according to the particular power source lines and signal lines involved.

Referring also to FIG. 5, when a user of a portable computer 3 wants to combine use of his/her portable computer 3 with the flat panel display 2, he/she can rotate the display panel 20 upward to a first position such that the portable computer 3 can be appropriately positioned on the base portion 23. A display screen 30 of the portable computer 3 is opened up, and thereby accommodated within the accommodating space 24. Then the user can rotate the display panel 20 down to a second position that provides a good viewing angle.

With this arrangement, a keyboard 31 of the portable computer 3 can be located directly in front of the display panel 20. The portable computer 3 is connected to the flat panel display 2 via corresponding signal transmission ports. The user can simultaneously operate the keyboard 31 and view the display panel 20. Since the keyboard 31 is located right in front of the display panel 20, the simultaneous operation of the keyboard 31 and viewing of the display panel 20 is most convenient.

Additionally, the display panel 20 is provided with a back shield 201 on a back thereof, and the base portion 23 is covered with a protective pad 231. The back shield 201 is typically made of rubber. The back shield 201 helps prevent the display screen 30 of the portable computer 3 from being damaged. The protective pad 231 is typically made of rubber, and has a plurality of grooves formed at a surface thereof. The protective pad 231 provides heat-dissipating for the portable computer 3, protects the portable computer 3 from colliding with the base portion 23, and lowers electrostatic effects between the portable computer 3 and the base portion 23.

In alternative embodiments, each of the back shield 201 of the display panel 20 and the protective pad 231 on the base portion 23 can be made of a suitable, soft protective material other than rubber. The back shield 201 can have any desired shape or area. The connection between the display panel 20 and the bending portion 21 is not limited to being a pivot joint type of connection. The jointing portion 26 on the display panel 20 can be located at any position within a top half region of the display panel 20, as long as the accommodating space between the display panel 20, the supporting member 25 and the base portion 23 is sufficient and suitable to receive an opened display screen.

In another embodiment, the inventive flat panel display can be an organic light-emitting display. It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set out in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms during which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A flat panel display comprising: a supporting member including a main body portion and a bending portion, the bending portion extending substantially toward a front side of the flat panel display; a display panel including a jointing portion, the jointing portion pivotally connected to the bending portion of the supporting member; and a base portion adjoining the main body portion of the supporting member; wherein the jointing portion of the display panel is located within a top half region of the display panel, and the display panel and the supporting member define an accommodating space therebetween.
 2. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein a height of the main body portion is at least half a height of the display panel.
 3. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the jointing portion is located above half of the altitude of the display panel.
 4. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 3, wherein the jointing portion is located in the range from about two-thirds of the altitude of the display panel to about three-fourths of the altitude of the display panel.
 5. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display panel is spaced a predetermined distance away from the main body portion and the base portion when the display panel is perpendicular to the base portion.
 6. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the accommodating space is configured to receive a display screen of a portable computer such that the portable computer and the flat panel display can be used together by a user.
 7. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the jointing portion of the display panel is pivotally connected to the bending portion of the supporting member through a hinge.
 8. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 7, wherein the display panel is capable of rotating through an angle of more than 90 degrees.
 9. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display panel is provided with a back shield.
 10. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 9, wherein the back shield comprises rubber material.
 11. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the supporting member further includes a detachable rear cover fastened onto the main body portion thereof.
 12. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 11, wherein the main body portion comprises a room where the detachable rear cover is fastened thereto.
 13. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 12, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on an inner wall of the room.
 14. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a protective pad covering the base portion.
 15. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 14, wherein the protective pad comprises rubber material.
 16. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 15, wherein the protective pad has grooves formed at a surface thereof.
 17. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main body portion and the base portion are formed as a single body.
 18. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flat panel display is selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal display and an organic light-emitting display.
 19. A flat panel display and portable computer combination, comprising: a portable computer comprising a display screen and a keyboard; and a flat panel display comprising: a base portion; a supporting member including a main body portion and a bending portion, the main body portion adjoining the base portion and the bending portion extending substantially toward a front side of the flat panel display; and a display panel including a jointing portion, the jointing portion pivotally connected to the bending portion of the supporting member and located within a top half region of the display panel; wherein the display screen of the portable computer is received within an accommodating space defined between the display panel and the supporting member, and the keyboard of the portable computer is supported by the base portion.
 20. The flat panel display and portable computer combination as set forth in claim 19, wherein the jointing portion is located above half of the altitude of the display panel. 